17.10.2011
Belarus is ready to cooperate with Ecuador, Lukashenko says
MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) - Belarus is ready to actively develop cooperation with Ecuador by analogy with the Belarusian-Venezuelan cooperation, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of the Republic of Ecuador Ricardo Patino Aroca.
“We are ready to engage in an active dialogue with your country, develop cooperation. We have absolutely no restrictions and closed themes,” the head of state said.
According to the President, Belarus-Venezuela cooperation is a good example of cooperation. “We can build up relations with Ecuador on this principle. If necessary, I have some agreement with Hugo Chavez, we can build our relationship on a tripartite basis, through Venezuela, or on a bilateral basis and directly. The choice is yours. Any option is acceptable for us,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined.
According to the President, Belarus and Ecuador already have a certain level of relations. In 2010 the bilateral trade reached almost $40 million. “Therefore, we have contacts, experience and practice of cooperation. Let us transfer them to other areas and step up our contacts,” said the Belarusian leader.
In turn, Ricardo Patino Aroca conveyed greetings from President of Ecuador to President Alexander Lukashenko. He also reiterated the invitation to visit Ecuador at any convenient time.
“We admire the policy that Belarus has been pursuing since it gained independence,” the minister noted. He is confident that the Belarusian people would be able to overcome all the difficulties they are facing today and move forward. Ricardo Patino Aroca also stressed Belarus’ huge contribution to the victory in WWII.
The minister expressed hope that contacts between the foreign ministries of the two states will continue to be fruitful. “We will be looking for the areas of common interest both in the bilateral and international agenda,” he said. Despite the recent considerable growth in trade, Ricardo Patino Aroca noted that the potential for bilateral relations is huge and still untapped. “We have great opportunities to shift from simple trade to cooperation. Today we are laying down a ground for out future cooperation,” the minister said.
“We are ready to engage in an active dialogue with your country, develop cooperation. We have absolutely no restrictions and closed themes,” the head of state said.
According to the President, Belarus-Venezuela cooperation is a good example of cooperation. “We can build up relations with Ecuador on this principle. If necessary, I have some agreement with Hugo Chavez, we can build our relationship on a tripartite basis, through Venezuela, or on a bilateral basis and directly. The choice is yours. Any option is acceptable for us,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined.
According to the President, Belarus and Ecuador already have a certain level of relations. In 2010 the bilateral trade reached almost $40 million. “Therefore, we have contacts, experience and practice of cooperation. Let us transfer them to other areas and step up our contacts,” said the Belarusian leader.
In turn, Ricardo Patino Aroca conveyed greetings from President of Ecuador to President Alexander Lukashenko. He also reiterated the invitation to visit Ecuador at any convenient time.
“We admire the policy that Belarus has been pursuing since it gained independence,” the minister noted. He is confident that the Belarusian people would be able to overcome all the difficulties they are facing today and move forward. Ricardo Patino Aroca also stressed Belarus’ huge contribution to the victory in WWII.
The minister expressed hope that contacts between the foreign ministries of the two states will continue to be fruitful. “We will be looking for the areas of common interest both in the bilateral and international agenda,” he said. Despite the recent considerable growth in trade, Ricardo Patino Aroca noted that the potential for bilateral relations is huge and still untapped. “We have great opportunities to shift from simple trade to cooperation. Today we are laying down a ground for out future cooperation,” the minister said.